Paperwork, Passports and Stress--Oh My!

That about says it all, huh?

Monday I took my son to get his passport. We got everything done and turned in, but they can't send it off until Jeff signs it. So, hopefully we can get to the County Building by 4pm Friday. We decided to expedite it. With Spring Break, passports are taking 10-12 weeks instead of 6 weeks. What if (miraculously) we would travel in 3 months? If Brett couldn't go with us that would really be a tragedy. So, I guess the health and well being of our family is worth the exta 60 bucks.

I've been working on our post-referral paperwork. The CCAA asks that all families matched with a special needs child complete a LOI (letter of intent)---this is to show the CCAA your intent to adopt this child. (as if the frantic phone calls, visits, announcements and 50 million pictures all around our house weren't enough!)

The thing is that this form needs to be TYPED. As in typed on a TYPEWRITER. Yes, one of those things that doesn't have spell check and types directly onto the page, no proof reading, no mistakes allowed. aah!

After I finally tracked down a typewriter (NOT an easy task!) I was so stinkin' nervous! Just knowing that every. single. letter. HAD. to. be. right. the FIRST time. No breathing room. I felt like I was diffusing a time bomb! I got through it OK. But here's the REAL kicker! It cannot be submitted to our agency until Jeff signs it too! So, before we go to sign the passport, we're going to overnight the LOI to our agency. Which means they'll get it on Saturday. when nobody's working. So, it'll sit there until Monday.

I HATE WASTED TIME!! This whole business-trip-thing is really getting on my nerves!!

**Hopefully on Monday:

• Our son's passport will be on its way to be processed.
• Our LOI will be on its way to be translated.
• Then sent to China.
• Then we wait for China to do their thing.
• Then China sends us an LOA (letter of approval)--approving us to adopt said child.
• Then China will send us TA (travel approval)--approving us to travel to China.
• Then our agency sets up CA (consulate appointment)--for us and Lili in China.
• Then we book our flights and get our itinerary.
• Then we rob a bank!! :)